The 2016 Audi A4 range arrives in Australia next week, and price and features for the new medium-sized sedan range have been obtained exclusively by The Motor Report ahead of its debut.

Now in its fifth generation, the Ingolstadt rival to the BMW 3 Series and Mercedes-Benz C-Class will be available in four sedan specification levels and a duo of Avant variants.

Three turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engines – a 1.4-litre, low-power 2.0-litre and high-power 2.0-litre – will join a single turbo-diesel 2.0-litre.

Only the duo of 2.0-litre petrols will be available in Avant guise, while only the high-power version of that engine will boast all-wheel drive, as will the 2.0-litre diesel. The others will power the front wheels only.

Mechanical

The entry-level A4 1.4 TFSI Sport is powered by a 1.4-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 110kW of power (from 5000rpm until 6000rpm) and 250Nm of torque (between 1500rpm and 3500rpm).

Thanks to a much lighter new platform the base model weighs only 1375kg, 95kg less than the previous 1.8 TFSI entry option. Teamed with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic – standard on all A4 models – the claimed 8.5-second 0-100km/h is two-tenths slower than before despite 400cc reduced displacement.

Claimed consumption of 5.5 litres per 100 kilometres on the official combined cycle is improved 0.3l/100km.

Stepping up to the A4 2.0 TFSI Sport sees outputs jump to 140kW (from 4200rpm until 6000rpm) and 320Nm (between 1450rpm and 5200rpm) from the 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder.

This model only gains 30kg on the scales compared with the base model, and its 7.3sec 0-100km/h is 1.2sec faster. Consumption is superior, claiming 5.3l/100km. The Avant is two-tenths slower and 0.1l thirstier.

There’s a decent step in price to the A4 2.0 TDI Sport quattro with 140kW (between 3800rpm and 4200rpm) and 400Nm (from 1750rpm until 3000rpm) from its standard 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel.

Heavier than the front-drivers, at 1575kg, the all-wheel-drive diesel claims 7.2sec 0-100km/h and 4.5l/100km on the combined cycle.

Atop the range until the S4 arrives is the A4 2.0 TFSI Sport quattro with 185kW (from 5000rpm until 6000rpm) and 370Nm (between 1600rpm and 4500rpm).

It’s lighter than the diesel at 1510kg and boasts a speedy 5.8sec 0-100km/h and 6.2l/100km claimed consumption.

Features

Standard equipment on every new A4 is extensive. In terms of safety, it includes eight airbags, electronic stability control, autonomous emergency braking (detecting collisions up to 85km/h), an active bonnet and blind-spot warning.

Exterior equipment includes 18-inch alloy wheels, front and rear parking sensors with reverse-view camera and full LED headlights.

Both 2.0 TDI and 2.0 TFSI quattro models get an S line package as standard, including 19-inch rims and 20mm-lower sports suspension. Also added to both are electrically foldable door mirrors, memory front seats and 10-speaker audio.

Other options for all models include dynamic steering ($1700), sunroof ($1950), rear-seat entertainment with one floating tablet ($2000) or two ($3600), and Bang and Olufsen 19-speaker, 755-watt audio ($2000 front-drivers, $1500 quattro).

Should luxury-car tax be applied, the total costs are higher for each option.

Pricing

The A4 1.4 TFSI Sport S tronic will start at $55,500 plus on-road costs. It will effectively line up against the three-cylinder BMW 318i ($54,900) and Lexus IS200t ($57,500).

It’s the A4 2.0 TFSI Sport S tronic priced at $60,900 (plus orc) that will take it to the entry-level identically priced Mercedes-Benz C200 and Jaguar XE 20t Prestige ($60,400), as well as the BMW 320i ($61,900).

As range flagship, the A4 2.0 TFSI Sport quattro costs $69,900 (plus orc), which is identical to a BMW 330i and $1000 dearer than a Mercedes-Benz C250.

Avant models will attract a small premium over the 2.0-litre petrol sedans, which will also include an electric tailgate for both models.

Audi warns on the document obtained by The Motor Report that this is “preliminary information” that “may be subject to change” so stay tuned for more information. However the A4 is due for imminent release next week.